Town Hall Meetings for Los Patos Roundabout 

The City of Santa Barbara has announced two upcoming town hall meetings regarding the impending roundabout slated for the intersection of Los Patos Way and East Cabrillo Boulevard. The first is this week, Thursday, November 2, at 5:30 pm via Zoom. The second is next week, in person, at the Palm Park Beach House at 236 East Cabrillo Boulevard. 

The roundabout project is slated to begin construction later this year, and is the first phase of a larger project on East Cabrillo Boulevard between Los Patos Way and the Cabrillo Interchange. The second phase includes the replacement of the existing Union Pacific Railroad Bridge over Cabrillo Boulevard and pedestrian and bicycle improvements. The second phase is anticipated to begin construction in 2026. 

The single-lane roundabout project intends to create a safe corridor along East Cabrillo Boulevard for pedestrians and bicyclists; improve access and connectivity to and from the Beachway, Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Chase Palm Park, Santa Barbara Zoo, beaches, and the Waterfront and Harbor, and to commercial areas along Los Patos Way and Coast Village Road; and reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility by constructing the roundabout at the intersection of East Cabrillo Boulevard and Los Patos Way.

The existing two-way, stop-controlled intersection at East Cabrillo and Los Patos Way services a significant number of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists who use the roadway to access recreational areas. The new roundabout will improve and enhance travel along East Cabrillo Boulevard, according to planners. The roundabout features crosswalks with traffic islands along all four quadrants and will incorporate new landscaping into a center island. A striped pedestrian and bicycle trail will be along northbound Channel Drive and a new left lane from southbound Cabrillo Boulevard to Channel Drive.

The City of Santa Barbara has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) to manage the project design and construction. The design was funded from the Highway Safety Improvement Program, State Transportation Improvement Program, Regional Surface Transportation Program, Measure D, Senate Bill 1, Local Partnership Program Formula, and Regional Surface Transportation Program. Construction is being funded with Highway 101 funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program. The first phase of the project is expected to cost $12M. Funds for construction of the second phase are being sought from competitive state and federal grant sources that fund roadway safety, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, rail, and transit.

The final design phase is nearly complete. To learn more and RSVP for the town hall meetings, visit www.santabarbaraca.gov/news/attend-community-outreach-meetings-upcoming-construction-cabrillo-los-patos-roundabout-project.